CARG at ASCO 2025
CARG Shines at the ASCO 2025 Annual Conference
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CARG brought energy, science, and vision to the ASCO 2025 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. Against the backdrop of this year’s theme, “Driving Knowledge to Action: Building a Better Future,” CARG made a powerful impact through award-winning research, dynamic presentations, and leadership across key sessions. With a strong presence throughout the conference, CARG continued to shape the future of geriatric oncology—advancing cancer care for older adults through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy. Our contributions reflected not only scientific excellence but also a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and patient-centered care.
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Celebrating CARG Excellence: Awards and Honors
Cancer care for older adults poses unique challenges that require specialized attention—and CARG has emerged as a pioneering force in meeting those needs. Through innovative clinical trials and a commitment to improving outcomes for older adults with cancer, CARG members continue to lead the field. Their leadership and groundbreaking work were recognized at ASCO 2025 with several prestigious awards, highlighting their impact and innovation in geriatric oncology. Congratulations to all!
Cancer care for older adults poses unique challenges that require specialized attention—and CARG has emerged as a pioneering force in meeting those needs. Through innovative clinical trials and a commitment to improving outcomes for older adults with cancer, CARG members continue to lead the field. Their leadership and groundbreaking work were recognized at ASCO 2025 with several prestigious awards, highlighting their impact and innovation in geriatric oncology. Congratulations to all!
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- Dr. Heidi Klepin received the 2025 ASCO B.J. Kennedy Geriatric Oncology Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to the field. Her lecture, “Improving Care for Older Adults with Cancer: Research to Practice,” highlighted the evolution of geriatric oncology and the integration of geriatric assessment into clinical care. Read more.
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Heidi D. Klepin, MD, MS, FASCO
Heidi D. Klepin, MD, MS, FASCO
spacer - Dr. Karen Mustian was honored with the Walther Cancer Foundation Supportive Oncology Award for her pioneering work in behavioral interventions. Her award lecture emphasized the role of exercise and psychosocial support in improving outcomes for older adults with cancer.
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Supriya G. Mohile, MD, MS, FASCO and Karen M. Mustian, PhD, MPH
spacer - Dr. Jingran Ji received a Career Development Award for her innovative research on the intersection of aging biology and cancer treatment toxicity.
- FASCO Distinction: Drs. Allison Magnuson, Arjun Gupta, Grant Williams, Gretchen Kimmick, Melissa Loh, Mina Sedrak, Ramy Sedhom, and Ryan Nipp received the Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) designation, recognizing their exceptional service and dedication to the field.
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Research Highlights and Presentations
CARG members also enriched the scientific program through a wide range of presentations, discussions, and session leadership. More than a dozen CARG members presented at the meeting; eight served as abstract discussants; and five chaired sessions, including those focused on strategies for academic and community synergy in immunotherapy toxicity care, symptom science and palliative care, quality care and health services research, and current and future directions in immunotherapies for myeloma. More than 20 members also showcased their work through engaging and informative posters, on topics ranging from “Improving Care for Older Adults with Cancer: Research to Practice” to “Treatment Preferences Between Survival and Quality of Life and Their Association with Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults with Advanced Cancer.”
CARG members also enriched the scientific program through a wide range of presentations, discussions, and session leadership. More than a dozen CARG members presented at the meeting; eight served as abstract discussants; and five chaired sessions, including those focused on strategies for academic and community synergy in immunotherapy toxicity care, symptom science and palliative care, quality care and health services research, and current and future directions in immunotherapies for myeloma. More than 20 members also showcased their work through engaging and informative posters, on topics ranging from “Improving Care for Older Adults with Cancer: Research to Practice” to “Treatment Preferences Between Survival and Quality of Life and Their Association with Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults with Advanced Cancer.”
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Presentations
- Dr. Daniel Richardson presented findings on “Treatment Preferences Between Survival and Quality of Life and Their Association with Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults with Advanced Cancer,” shedding light on how patient values influence treatment decisions and outcomes. He also discussed the Preliminary Efficacy of VOICE, a decision support tool for older adults with advanced cancer, in a pilot randomized trial.
- Dr. Lindsey Jean Mattick shared results from a nationwide URCC NCORP study on “Severe Sarcopenia and Symptom Burden Prior to Chemotherapy Among Older Adults (70+) with Advanced Cancer,” emphasizing the need for early identification of frailty.
Oral Abstract Discussions
- Dr. Kah Poh Loh explored Trade-Off Preferences in Older Adults with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia, offering insights into how older patients weigh treatment risks and benefits.
- Dr. Cristiane Bergerot presented a secondary analysis on Prognostic Awareness in Older Adults with Metastatic Cancer, highlighting communication gaps and opportunities for shared decision-making.
- Dr. Heidi Klepin shared results from a pilot study on a Muscadine Grape Extract Supplement to Decrease Fatigue Among Older Cancer Survivors, exploring novel supportive care strategies.
- Dr. Jingran Ji presented on the Association Between Epigenetic Clocks and Chemotoxicity in Older Adults with Early Breast Cancer, linking biological aging markers to treatment tolerance.
Session Chairs
- Dr. Mazie Tsang chaired Framing the Dichotomies of Immunotherapy-Related Adverse Event Management, focusing on balancing efficacy and toxicity in older patients.
- Dr. Reena Jayani-Kosarzycki led the session Is There Still a Role for Transplant in Myeloma?, addressing evolving treatment paradigms for older adults.
- Drs. Carolyn Presley and Tanyanika Phillips co-chaired the Symptom Science and Palliative Care session, emphasizing patient-centered approaches to symptom management.
Looking Ahead
As the field of oncology continues to evolve, CARG remains at the forefront—driving research that informs clinical practice and advocating for the unique needs of older adults. The work presented at ASCO 2025 will help guide future studies, influence policy, and inspire new models of care. Through its collaborative spirit and unwavering focus on improving outcomes, CARG continues to elevate the standard of cancer care for aging populations and set the pace for progress in geriatric oncology.
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William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO, Robert Winn, MD, and Tanyanika Phillips, MD, MPH
Tanyanika Phillips, MD, MPH and William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO
Mina S. Sedrak, MD, MS, Beverly Canin (SCOREboard co-chair), and William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO
As the field of oncology continues to evolve, CARG remains at the forefront—driving research that informs clinical practice and advocating for the unique needs of older adults. The work presented at ASCO 2025 will help guide future studies, influence policy, and inspire new models of care. Through its collaborative spirit and unwavering focus on improving outcomes, CARG continues to elevate the standard of cancer care for aging populations and set the pace for progress in geriatric oncology.
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William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO, Robert Winn, MD, and Tanyanika Phillips, MD, MPH
Tanyanika Phillips, MD, MPH and William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO
Mina S. Sedrak, MD, MS, Beverly Canin (SCOREboard co-chair), and William Dale, MD, PhD, FASCO